Butterfly Article

Idea leuconoe

 
Scientific Name: Idea leuconoe
Common Name: Paper Kite
Native Location: Southeast Asia
Host Plant: Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, P. spiralis
Description: This large, showy butterfly uses its color for more than just a flashy "hello". The black and white markings, coupled with the slow flight, tell potential predators this butterfly is quite distasteful. This sort of obvious advertisement of distaste is called Aposematism. They are members of the Subfamily Danainae, many of whom are chemically protected by the plants the caterpillars feed on. Monarch butterflies, for example, are also in this Subfamily. Paper Kites love to visit flowers during the day, gathering the sugar rich nectar which makes up their diet. The chrysalis of this butterfly is one of the more striking, with bright yellow or gold backgrounds and black spots or markings. Many people have often questioned whether or not it is real. We receive our Paper Kites from two sources, Flora Farms in the Philippines and Tropical Entomological House in Malaysia. They have a wide home range throughout Southeast Asia.

<i>Idea leuconoe</i>  Paper Kite on Panama Rose plant